In a randomized, double-blind, crossover, controlled trial with eight healthy male volunteers, MDMA at recreational doses (75 and 125 mg) produced marked euphoria and well-being, as measured by increased scores on the Addiction Research Center Inventory MBG and A scales and visual analog scales for 'stimulated,' 'good effects,' 'liking,' and 'high.' The 125 mg dose also caused mild sedation, dysphoria, and a slight decrease in performance on the digit-symbol substitution test, along with esophoria. Amphetamine (40 mg) produced similar euphoric effects but improved psychomotor performance. No hallucinations or psychoses occurred. These findings support MDMA's abuse liability.
People who use both MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis show long-term changes in immune function, including lower levels of interleukin-2 and higher levels of anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor beta-1, along with fewer total lymphocytes, CD4 cells, and natural killer cells. These immune alterations persisted over one year. Regular users of both drugs had a higher rate of mild infections compared to occasional users and those who used only cannabis or neither drug. Cannabis-only users showed intermediate immune changes. The findings suggest that sustained disruption of immune balance may lead to poorer general health and greater susceptibility to infections.